Belle

Bliss, imagine my surprise when I saw who was in the article. I was about to e-mail you, not sure how often you check in here. I wonder if Angela helped the reporter or if the reporter is with TWI since it seems odd to me to refer to a degree as a "secular degree". :unsure: I could be wrong, but that sounds like Way-speak to me. mchud, I think it's in NJ. I am wondering how much TWI recruitment goes on with her customers or how many of the people in their area feel pressure to give Angela business.

Gary Martin and his wife, Angela (Capillary) Martin are WC and have made the news. <snip> In economies good and bad, living a debt-free life is a matter of religion for Gary and Angela Martin of Lincoln Park. The thirtysomething couple, who live in an apartment, are ministers of The Way International, an Ohio-based worldwide nondenominational ministry that focuses on knowing the Bible inside out and living its messages. Romans 13:8 plainly lays out the part about debts, Gary said: "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another." The Way teaches three basic principles from the Bible regarding financial prosperity and debt-free living: Tithe 10 percent of your income, live within your means, and work heartily as unto the Lord. The couple goes by these basics and often tithes more than 10 percent, lives below their means and works very hard. In addition to running home Bible fellowships two times a week, she uses her secular degree in medical ethics to run her business, HeadStrong Life Coaching, and he uses his two secular degrees in accounting and information systems to work full-time in the IT field. They own their cars, rent their home, have a six-month money reserve in the bank, contribute to 401ks, shop off-season, discuss major purchases and find the best for less. Consequently, they enjoy the peace that comes from living outside the loop of desire and acquisition and the financial distress it creates. <end snip> There's more and a picture of Gary and Angela.

Here is a repost of info on "The Colorado Custody Case".

First, congrats on getting free! I, too, got more and more trouble the more I started to think for myself. It DOES get better! There are a few people here who have been through a similar situation but don't post much anymore. I will look around and see if I can find those posts and PM you the poster's handle so you can PM them. Are you familiar with the PM (Private Message) function here?

Comparing John's site to GSpot is not only comparing apples to oranges - it's totally irrelevant to Paw's question - as are the complaints about editing, moderation, etc. Haven't those horses already been beaten into fine powder? Paw, I hope you know how much I love you and appreciate what you have provided here. I certainly would not be where I am today if it were not for the GSpot community, your strong coffee and allowing me to stick my gum under the counter. BUT, none of us is worth you giving up your personal life, the people and dreams most important to YOU. If you decide to keep the doors open, I do wish you would consider raising the prices here. $5-10/month for the ability to post is not unreasonable. I know that throws a monkey wrench at anyone who is still in and wants to post, but there could be a place for them to contact one of your assistants to work something out. There are ways of doing this and still allowing folks to maintain their anonymity.

I am soooo jealous!! Thanks for the pics, George! Can't wait to see the rest. Wish I could have talked to y'all!!

*sigh* If someone has a problem with the moderation, take it up with the moderators privately instead of derailing yet another thread complaining about it. <_< Regardless of one's political views, this is a historic moment in our history and one to be proud of, I think. It will be an interesting four years and, if we do not like the direction the country is heading, we will, again, vote for change.

Jeff, sounds like you're doing everything you can. Continuing to keep the lines of communication open and letting your son know that he can talk to you about everything - count on you to support and defend him - and, most importantly, never seeing the bad behavior your ex and that group exhibit in your life.... Children are very perceptive and they do notice those things. There will be bigger differences in the two as your son continues to grow. A friend of mine had a similar non-TWI situation with a very nasty ex. His son is 16 now and prefers to spend time with his dad instead of his mom because of how unpleasant it is to be around his mom. Despite all her attempts at the opposite, she has strengthened their bond and weakened her ability to impact her son.

IMO, it's a learned helplessness. Going back to TWI is easy. TWI tells them what to think, how to think, what to do with their time and money and people have to pretend to like you, so you instantly fit in. Leaving/change is the hard part (really leaving like Oakspear said). You have to re-evaluate everything you learned, make your own decisions, learn to really think and relate to people without canned responses, decide what to do with your time, money, emotions, etc., etc. There really is no way to talk someone into leaving or to convince them to see what you see.... that old adage, "a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still" does contain truth. What you can do is ask questions to, hopefully, stimulate thought. You can live your life and let them see how wonderful things are and how much more peaceful it is to have control over your own decisions and situations. Things that got to me while I was still in were "normal" things my family and friends mentioned that I knew we'd never have or be able to do. We just did not have the same goals and ambitions as those "normal" people did. There really is a huge contrast between how "normal" people live and how TWIts live - even everyday mundane things.

I was never a leader but I did hurt people and have apologized to folks as I come across them. I have seen some people go to great lengths to apologize to others and, likewise, some arrogant arses who do not even acknowledge their evil.

Happy Birthday!!! Sorry I'm late, too....

Awesome, Paw!! Good on ya! Thanks, too, for that link. Great article!

:jump: I have nothing witty to add, but just wanted to say thanks to those who have shared.

:( So wish I could be there. I know y'all are gonna have a doggone good time!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

AWESOME!! Congrats, SF! It's not an easy thing to do, but feels oh, so wonderful once that noose comes off. I agree with Lindy, it is a process and the real "you" is already there, it's learning to think without TWI blinders on and to trust ourselves to make the right decisions for our lives..... allowing that "real you" to flourish and blossom. TWI subjugates that. Therapy, of course, was key in my own recovery, but everyone does not need that.

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS, CHAS!!! I hope it was wondermous!!

Awww, thanks so much, y'all! It was a great day despite the fact that it means I am now 40. Waysider, thanks so much for sending my favorite waitress over! She always gets the order right. Bow - I love that picture!! Weenie colored tulle, no less! Thank you! I can not wait for you to come visit again!! Love ya, Girl!! Dot - I love that quote! Thank you ever so much. WW - I am so glad that you are healthier now and feeling mucho better! Can not wait to hug your neck! Lifted - I am so honored to share 29 with you. Sudo - You have always been the quintessential southern gentleman.... even for a Rebel. Bow - Right after that picture was taken he dropped me on the ground and ran off with someone prettier, nicer, sweeter and downright more incredible than I could ever hope to be. RG - Thanks for all those pictures and the birthday wishes. Cheranne - We do have a reputation to uphold, don't we? ;) Thanks for helping do your part! GSG - So wish I was gonna be in TX to see you and the Countess! Chef - Thank you! I thought of your culinary expertise yesterday as I enjoyed homemade cheesecake. Rhino - It was much fun exceeding the two drink limit yesterday on a very nice vintage.... TommyZ, Shellon, GT, Twinky, WB, ex, Penguin, PurpleDays - thank you all so very much!! I took the day off from work today because I'm hoping to find some new Osh Kosh By-Gosh Overalls. I've finally outgrown my old ones.

From NPR's site: Widely regarded as America's greatest living songwriter, Bob Dylan has written and recorded some of the most influential and acclaimed music of the past century. With countless studio albums, compilations and live discs to his name in his nearly 50-year career, Dylan continues to produce new music that's as vital as his earliest recordings, and still performs more than 100 concerts every year in what's been called the "never-ending tour." For the legions of fans who still can't get enough, Dylan's longtime label (Columbia Records) has been releasing a series of "bootleg" CDs from the singer — a vast collection of rare recordings and outtakes spanning five decades. The series began in 1991 with the first three bootleg volumes, covering the first 30 years of Dylan's career. Now, 17 years later, Columbia is about to release the eighth volume. Tell Tale Signs covers Dylan's past 20 years, a period that produced the albums Time Out of Mind, Love and Theft, Modern Times and Oh Mercy. Tell Tale Signs offers a rare glimpse into Dylan's creative process, with alternate takes that show the evolution of his work, as his songs take shape lyrically and musically. Columbia recently gave listeners an early taste of Tell Tale Signs by offering the track "Dreamin' of You" as a free download from Dylan's Web site. You can also hear the song on the latest episode of All Songs Considered. Here, NPR Music offers a sneak preview of the entire two-disc set as a free stream. The album will be officially released in stores and online on Oct. 7. You can listen to the album free here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUDO!! An Ole Cake for an Ole Man....

nevermind

Joh, that sounds like what we were taught while I was involved in the 90's through 2004. I'm glad to see they are at least putting it in writing these days. <_< Not one penny of ABS was used "on the field" while I was involved until it had been accounted for; gone to HQ and then "approved" by HQ who then cut a check for said approved expenses. Not one penny of those expenses went to help anyone in TWI... it was used for meeting room rent and whatnot, but even then, we usually paid for that, too.

WAIT!!! You forgot to pack ME!!! :(

Sorry, Penguin. I can not help, but have heard Atlantis is awesome! I'm thinking I've had friends visit there without paying for a room, but their website probably has that kind of information. I just did not want your thread to get lost in all the others on here. Have a great time!!

Oh yay!! :) Of course they'd love you! That is absolutely no surprise.